We loved Terrance and wanted him with us, but God wanted him more

Family Genealogy

We loved him dearly but God loved him more. One sunny September afternoon God decided that He needed an extra angel to complete his angelic choir.

Terrance was born to Tracy Murray Smith and Ernest Smith Jr., July 22, 1974. He was the baby of three brothers: Michael Anthony, Peter Cornell and Ernest, lll.

Terrance Jermaine Smith was with our family for a very short time. He was a lovable child, who died unexpectedly of bacteria meningitis in September. Many children were admitted to Brackenridge Hospital that night with the same virus. Terrance was the only child to die. 

He was on life support for a week before the doctor suggested that Tracy and Ernest take him off life support. He said the machine was breathing for Terrance. We did want to let go.

We were aware that his short life had come to an end, but we were not prepared for stay on earth to be so short. Tracy and Ernest listened to the doctor rather to us. We were racked with emotions, rather than common sense. We knew he had passed to the other side. Saying good-bye was hard.

We wanted to hold onto the dream and that wish of a last minute miracle. It happened in movies all the time. Why not now . . .  for us? How grateful and thankful we would have been! But the miracle did not come. Reality shoved its self into our brains. On September 30, 1976 at 3PM, we cut loose Terrance's spirit, letting it fly freely towards his final destination. He was two years old.

I was angry at God for weeks, but the anger eventually subsided. I resented God's power to take away someone so precious and young as Terrance. I had to remind myself that we all had a certain time, day and hour to leave this earth. Our little Terrance's hour had arrived, and we had to release him. Several family members were at his side when he was taken off the respirator.

The official cause of death was cardiac arrest due to meningitis. Ironically, at the minute of his death, our sister Kaffey gave birth to one more niece. God took one child to his Kingdom, but he blessed us with another baby to ease our pain.

Despite his limited days on earth, Terrance Jermaine Smith left a number of relatives behind to grieve his passing: his mother Tracy Murray Smith, his father Ernest Smith, Jr., his brothers Michael Smith, Peter Cornell Smith, Ernest Smith, lll; his grandparents Ernest and Gertrude Smith, Christina Murray; his aunts Rose Ann Smith, Kaffey Smith Watts, Dorothy Charles Banks, Marie Ockletree and a host of relatives.

Terrance Jermaine Smith, 2, was funeralized at King Tears Funeral Mortuary Chapel, Saturday, October 2, 1976, 2:30pm. Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery.


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Funeral Services

For

Terrance Jermaine Smith

Saturday, October 2, 1976

2:00PM 

King Tears Mortuary Chapel

Obituary 

Terrance Jermaine Smith was born July 22, 1974  in Austin, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Smith. He departed this life Thursday, September 30, 1976.

He leaves behind to mourn his passing, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Smith, Jr., three brothers, Ernest Smith lll, Michael Anthony Smith and Peter C. Smith, maternal grandmother, Mrs. Christine Spears, maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Smith, Sr., all of Austin; aunts Ms. Rose Ann Smith, Mrs. Dorothy Banks, Mrs. Marie Ockletree, Mrs. Kaffey Watts, all of Austin and Mrs. Joy Murray of Houston, Texas and a host of relatives. 

Funeral program

Processional

Song                                       Nearer My God To Thee

Scripture

Song                                       Precious Lord

Eulogy                                    Rev. R. A. Grant

Recessional

Acknowledgments

The family gracefully acknowledges all cards and flowers, messages of comfort, and other expressions of sympathy extended during the passing of our darling angel.

Officiating                                 Rev. R.A. Grant

Internment                               Evergreen Cemetery

Ernest, 111 and Michael Anthony, two of Terrance's older brothers

Terrance's father, Ernest Smith, Jr. a week before his death June 5, 2010.

 

Terrance's mother, Tracy Murray Smith and granddaughter

Peter Cornel Murray of Austin, was the oldest brother of Terrance Jermaine Smith. He passed on Sunday, December 22, 2019. He was living in Douglasville, Georgia at the time of his death. He was the oldest son of Tracy Murray and stepdad Ernest Smith, Jr. Peter was married to Stephanie Douglas-Murray of Douglasville. He and his wife had no children.

Born February 2o, 1972, Peter was 47 at the time of his death. His funeral took place Saturday, December 28, 2019, at First Baptist Church in Austin, Texas.  Dr. Barry J.W. Franklin officiated over the service. Peter was interned at Evergreen Cemetary.

Peter Cornel Murray is survived by his wife Stephanie Murray, his mother Tracy Smith of Autin. brothers Ernest Smith, 111 and Michael Anthony Smith, both of Austin. He also has a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

'Uncle Shorty' and Ohio cousins come to Austin

Raymond Fowler, Sr., and  second wife Mary 

Family Genealogy

Raymond Fowler, Sr. was born to Leora (Leola) and Mose (Mozell) Fowler, March 3, 1923 in Bastrop, Texas. He was the third of two sisters and three brothers: Mike, Johnny Mose, Israel, Imogene and Gertrude. They nicknamed him "Shorty" because he was the shortest of his sisters and brothers. Gertrude about his height but she was not nicknamed "shorty." Everyone called her Gert.

Raymond joined the Navy when he old enough to enlist. He came home to Austin on leave, and somewhere along the way he met and married Priscilla Douthit of Lorain, Ohio. They got married in Ohio after he got out of service. We met Priscilla one time after they got married. As a kid myself, I remember her being petite,  pretty and friendly. Uncle Raymond's sisters and brothers liked her a lot. They lived in Ohio, where they started their family.

Their first child was Raymond Fowler, Jr., born March 7, 1947. Five more children followed: Sandra, Leora, Jerome, Wayne and Freddie, the baby of the family. Tragedy struck the family with the death of Priscilla. She died during or after the birth of her last child, Freddie, in 1954. Raymond informed us that she had an enlarged heart. He was devastated after her death but he had to keep going for the sake of his children.

Still a young man, 31, Raymond was now responsible for raising six children alone. He did the best he could but he eventually he had to call on his mother, Leora, to help. He had to work and it was difficult to find a babysitter he trusted.

The arrangement he made with Leora was temporary. She was keep the children until Raymond was better situated in Ohio. Because Leora was not willing uproot her life in Austin to resettle in Ohio, Raymond agreed to bring his children to Texas. Freddie, who suffered from asthma, was a sickly baby. His frail body was constantly racked by colds and congestion, causing him to need around the clock attention, both personal and medical. He was about four months old when they moved to Texas.

The children stayed with "Big Mama" for a number of years. They lived on Thompson Street, in the Booker T. Washington Projects until they moved back to Ohio.  According to my records all of the children, except Freddie, were enrolled in elementary school.

Raymond got married to a nurse, Mary, and he returned to Austin for his children. In addition to his children, he was now the stepfather to Mary's children, increasing the size of his family. After their marriage Raymond occasionally visited Austin. He looked forward to eating Gertrude's homemade biscuit, fried pan sausage, served with butter, syrup and hot coffee.

When Mary, his second wife, called to tell us that Raymond had died, Cluck, Gertrude, Marie, Rose Ann and Ernest, Sr. and I traveled to Ohio by car for the funeral. Big Mama caught a plane. Raymond was 54. He died October 31 in Lorain Community Hospital's Coronary Unit after suffering a heart attack at home.

Raymond lived had in Ohio for 39 years, and was employed at the Coke plant in Ohio, Cuyahoga Works, and U. S. Steel Corp., for 33 years, respectively. He belonged to Fairfield Baptist Church, the Buckeye Lodge No. 68 F and AM l Consistory No. 15 of Cleveland, El Hasa Temple No. 28 of Cleveland and the Lorain-Elyria Oberlin Shrine Club.

Raymond Fowler, Sr., left behind by his wife Mary, seven sons: Raymond, Jr., Wayne, Jerome, a Dwayne Fowler and Carl Jeans, all of Lorain, Freddie Fowler of Key West, FL and PFC Bruce Fowler with the U.S. Army in Kansas; four daughters Sandra, Leora, and Lynnette Fowler, of Lorain, and Constance Jeans of Washington D. C.; his mother Leora Fowler Sterling of Austin, two brothers Mike Fowler of Los Angeles; Johnny Mose Fowler, and sister Gertrude Fowler Smith, both of Austin, Texas; 13 grandchildren and a host of friends and relatives.

Funeral service was held Friday at 1PM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Lorain. Rev. William C. Bacon, officiated. Burial was at Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain, Ohio.


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Funeral Services for 

Raymond E. Fowler, Sr.

1923-1977

Friday, November 4, 1977

1:00 P.M.

Mount Zion Baptist Church

1516 East 30th Street

Lorain, Ohio

Rev. William C. Bacon, pastor

Fairfield Baptist Church, Officiating

Internment

Elwood Cemetery

Lorain, Ohio

Obituary

Raymond E. Fowler was born March 3, 1923 in Bastrop, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Mosell Fowler.  He has been a resident of Lorain for the past 39 years, and was a member of Fairfield Baptist Church. He was active in Buckeye Lodge 68, F and AM Consistory and Shrine and employed at U.S. Steel for the last 10 years. He departed this life at Lincoln Community Hospital on October 31, 1977. He leaves to mourn him, a wife Mary, his mother, Leora of Austin, Texas; four daughters, Sondra, Leora, and Lynette of Lorain and Ms. Connie Jeans of Washington, D.C.; seven sons, Raymond, Jr. Wayne, Jerome, Dwayne and Carl of Lorain and Pfc. Bruce of Fort Riley, Kansas; one sister, Mrs. Gertrude Smith of Austin, Texas and two brothers, Michael of Los Angeles, California and Mosell Jr. of Austin, Texas and thirteen grandchildren and a host of friends and relatives.

Order of Service

Processional

Selection                                                                                      Fairfield Choir

Scripture

Prayer

Selection                                                                                       Fairfield Choir

Remarks                                                                                           Deacon Rice

Acknowledgment of cards and telegrams

Solo                                                                                                      Ruth Lyons

Resolutions and Obituary

Selection                                                                                          Fairfield Choir

Eulogy                                                                                 Rev. William C. Bacon

Recessional Brown Funeral Home

"Man that is born of woman is of a few 

days and full of trouble. 

He cometh forth like a flower,

and is cut down. 

He fleeth

and continueth not."

Job 14: 1 and 2

The family wishes to thank everyone for their sympathy and prayers.

The End of the Road is But a Bend in the Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give,

And we are sure that the "song has ended"

When our day seems over and the shadows fall;

And the darkness of night has descended.

Where can we go to find the strength

to valiantly keep on trying,

Where can we find the hand that will dry;

The tears that the heart is crying.

There's but one place to go and that is to God,

And dropping all pretense and pride; 

We can pour out our problems without restraint,

And gain strength with Him at our side.

And together we stand rat life's crossroads,

And view what we think is the end.

But god has a much bigger vision

And he tells us it's Only A Bend.

For the road goes on and is smoother,

And the "pause in the song" is a rest;

And the part that's unsung ans unfinished

Is the sweetest and richest and best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger,

Let God and Let God share your load;

Your work is not finished or ended,

You've just come to "A Bend In the Road."

Leora demanded that we not call her 'Grandma'

Robin Michelle Banks (left) great-granddaughter to Leora Fowler Sterling, Natarsha Yvonne Banks (center), great-great granddaughter to Leora (right).

Leora (Leola) was a mixture of Indian and African American. I learned about this listening to Aunt Pearl, who was Leora’s sister. Aunt Pearl had a large oval framed photo of an Indian woman they were related to. All of the family birth dates, baptismals and other pertinent information was lost in a house fire. Ever since I learned to read and write I recorded this information in a large family Bible.

Leora was a light skinned woman with shoulder length hair that she dyed black when she began to gray.  She got married to Mose (Mosell) Fowler when she was fourteen, which was customary when she was a young girl. That did not leave a lot of years to get an education. She could not read or write but she could sign her name. Leora gave birth the seven surviving children.  She had a still born child at age 38.

As a young girl Leora loved to dance (square dancing or buck dancing as it was sometimes called); she never talked about a hobby. But one thing is sure . . . she did not like being called “Grandma.” She said it sounded like her grandchildren were calling her a cow! So we called her “Big Mama” or “Mama.” Leora was born June 7, 1900 in Bastrop Travis County to Pearl or Pearlie Turner Clark (estimated birth 4/10/1888) and Ollie Clark (estimated birth 1877 or earlier).

Leora was the granddaughter of William Turner (estimated birth 1850) and Josephine Elizabeth Daniel (estimated birth 1879), who were either slaves or freed shortly thereafter via the Emancipation Proclamation. Leora had six sisters and brothers all born and lived in Bastrop with the exception of her a brother name Charlie, who left Bastrop when he got older. Some years later Mose and Leora moved to Austin.

Mose, who did not mind being called “Grandpa” was a laborer. In addition to taking care of her own family Leora worked as a maid, cook and babysitter in private homes, and maid at local hotels. She also took in laundry. Her “laundry room” was outdoors in her front yard, where she had a couple of tubs for rinsing and one for washing that was done on a washing board after “boiling” the laundry in a black iron tub that was heated by wood. She stirred the laundry with a broom handle or stick. Little washing was required after this process. Leora ironed outside with two heavy irons heated on a two-burner stove, using coal oil as fuel. Too whiten white clothing she used a liquid called “bluing.” She then hanged the laundry on a couple of clothe lines to dry.  She did not do laundry during the winter months.

Though she was not considered a pioneer woman, Leora really was one. She made her own butter and soap that was used for bathing, washing dishes and laundry. Working as a maid in a hotel she was allowed to bring home used soap. Chickens that she raised provided meat and eggs. She baked her own bread, cakes and pies. She was so fiercely independent that it was hard for her to ask for help with anything.

Her home church as Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, but in later years she got hooked the “holy ghost” when she went to see two traveling evangelists preaching the gospel under a tent in East Austin. She was hooked on the shouting and speaking in tongues. When Rev. R. A. Grant started a small church in the same area, Leora did not hesitate to join when they settled in Austin.

 Leora was a faithful dues paying member of McKinley Heights Church of God in Christ until she died. If the door opened for service she was there. She was a walking testimony of her faith. It was not unusual for Leora to “get happy” and start shouting, praising and thanking the Lord while walking down the street, on the city bus, at home while cooking or cleaning, at work . . . anywhere the spirit hit her. Her religious energy was nonstop. She talked in tongues just like she talked another language when she got angry. No, she was not a cursing woman.

Leora’s second husband Charlie Sterling of Austin preceded her in death. He worked for Jack’s Brewing Company, loved to fish and hunt and bring home road kills such as rabbits, armadillos and anything else he deemed eatable.

Obituary

Leora Fowler was born June 7, 1900, in Bastrop, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Clark. She was a resident of Austin, Texas for 59 years. She was a member of the McKinley Heights Church of God and Christ for at least 36 years. She departed this life at Arnold’s Nursing Home on October 11, 1982.

She leaves to mourn her passing a daughter, Gertrude Smith of Austin, Texas; two sons Mr. Mose Fowler, Jr. of Austin, Texas and Mr. Mike fowler of Los Angeles, California; 13 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.

In loving memory of

Mrs. Leora Fowler

McKinley Heights Church of God in Christ

Saturday, October 18, 1982

2:30 PM

Order of Service

Processional

Song                                                                                                                                     Choir

Scripture                                                                                                                             Rev. Kenneth B. Burdett

Prayer

Song                                                                                                                                     Choir

Resolutions and Obituary                                                                                               Mrs. Gertrude Hancock

Acknowledgement of cards and telegrams                                                                 Mrs. Margie Ware

Eulogy                                                                                                                                 Rev. R. A. Grant

Recessional

Casket Bearers

Deacons of the church

Acknowledgement

The family wishes to thank their many friends for all gestures of kindness, thoughtfulness and prayers during the passing of their loved one.

Officiating         Rev. R. A. Grant

Internment               Evergreen Cemetery

A King Tears Service

Austin Texas

Some people called him Pete, Smitty; we called him "My-daddy andPaw-Paw"

Ernest Smith, Sr.

Family Genealogy

He loved fishing, his family, hard work, telling jokes, playing dominoes, playing spades with his wife Gertrude and drinking beer on weekends.
 
Ernest Smith, Sr., was born in Cass, Texas September 8, 1925, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Smith. Married to Gertrude Fowler-Smith for 38 years, Ernest lived in Austin for 37 years. He was employed at Alamo Steel for 28 years, where he worked as a welder, eventually moving up to foreman. He was well liked by co-workers and friends, especially by the owner of the steel company, where they called him Smitty.

Ernest left his home town when he was a teenager. No, he did not run away. He left home to "find himself", and to discover what he wanted to do with his life. He enlisted in the Army. He had dreams of becoming baseball player in the major league. He played ball in Tulia, Texas with a local team, but the small town playing did not take him closer to his dream. In those days it was difficult for a Black baseball player to break through the color barrier, no matter how skilled and talented he was.

While hanging out in Tulia he met Gertrude Fowler, mother of two daughters: my sister Marie and me, Dorothy. We were living in Austin with Big Mama (Leora), attending school when they met. When school was out we went to Tulia to meet him and lived there for the summer. What an experience that was! That was the first time I saw a dog with rabies. We had made friends with the kids living behind us, and one day we were outside swinging when one of the girls, familiar with rubied dogs, screamed and yelled: "mad dog!" She told us to swing higher. One of her parents came out and ran the dog off. It was lethargic and foaming at the mouth. It's a wonder the swings did not fall over we were swinging so hard.

Upon returning to Austin, Ernest found work as a porter at Edmond J. Kneskek Service Station. On December 23, 1951 their first child together, a son, Ernest Smith Jr., was born. Not long after two daughters, Kaffey (an infant) and Rose Ann (1 year), followed. Rose Ann was a twin, but the other died at birth. In 1955 Smitty landed a welding job with Alamo Boiler and Machine Works.

Ernest was one of those "good stepfathers." But I do not think anybody knew him like we did--his kids. Nobody saw the side of him that we saw; a loving husband, dad and grandpa. He called his female children and grandchildren, not by their names, but "baby" and "sugar." His proudest moments were when he could look at his whole flock on holidays and smile with contentment.

He got pretty uptight when someone referred to his oldest daughters as his "step-daughters" or "stepchildren." He did not like those terms. Nor did he like the terms "half-brother" and "half-sister". "Y'all full sisters and brothers. Don't forget it," he would say firmly.

He did not complain out loud

Because Ernest was not a man to complain, none of us knew the extent of his illness until it was evident that something was terribly wrong. One night I got a call from my mother, telling me to come over and "talk to your daddy." She said he was sick but she could not get him to go to the hospital. Gertrude said to me, "You the only one your daddy will listen to."

"Mydaddy" as we called him, was in their bedroom, trying to relax sitting in his favorite father's present from me: a brown recliner. I could see that he was in pain, possibly irritated because the pain was making him vulnerable. He pretended to be okay. He did not like going to doctors, the reason he did not go for yearly physicals. I told him that he was the only daddy we had, and we all wanted to keep him alive and well.

"Daddy's alright, baby," he said. But I was not convinced. "I think you need to go to the hospital," I told him. After explaining again how important he was to us, he finally consented to go. We later learned that he was secretly drinking hard alcohol to relieve his pain. That in itself was unusual because he only drank beer. My mother found empty, half pint whiskey bottles under their bed.

When he went to the doctor the next day, Ernest was admitted to the hospital. Tests and physical exams followed. The demon that delivered so much pain to his body was soon discovered. It was lung cancer and it was inoperable. The cancer had spread to his brain. We witnessed the mind crippling change in him. Our father was coherent one minute, incoherent the next. It broke our hearts to see him in that condition. He had always been so independent.

While in the hospital there were days he thought he was at work, being a supervisor. I would pretend I was an employee, asking him what he wanted me to do. I even called him "Smitty." That what they called him at work. He would give me measurements for a piece of steel that he wanted cut in a specific way. On other days he lay in his hospital bed, quiet and reflective. Some days his pain was so great he resorted to crying, something his children and grandchildren had never saw him do. It did not help him emotionally to realize that he had to stay in the hospital.

One afternoon after work I visited him. I was glad I caught him alone. He had been crying. He cried while I was there. We talked for a couple of hours, covering all the things he had dreamed of doing in life. I was surprised to learn that besides baseball, he was interested in cooking. I had never seen him cook. I think in his mind he knew the things he dreamed of becoming were now out of reach. I felt sad for him. We had never sat and had a serious conversation before.

Ernest Smith, Sr., "Paw-Paw" to his grandchildren, was not ready to die. But there we were, left alone in a sterile hospital room, wondering why.  Death never explains itself. When it reached for him, his body jerked, as if trying to get away. He died with his eyes wide open. I closed them before the nurse came into the room.

I remember it being a sunny afternoon, Monday, February 24, 1986, Brackenridge Hospital. It was a pretty day, 2:12PM. I remember thinking the day was too pretty and sunny to die. Mydaddy should have been on the river fishing, enjoying himself, drinking a cold beer, laughing and telling jokes; slamming dominoes down on a table, having fun with his buddies.

Ernest Smith, Sr., was 60 years old. Gertrude, his son Ernest Jr., daughters Marie and I were at his bedside at Brackenridge Hospital. Rose Ann stepped into the room just as he passed. Man born of woman days are few and full of trouble, the Bible tells us. On that February day we wished Paw-Paw's days would have been more instead of few. It was a privilege to have known him.

Ernest Smith, Sr., left behind his wife Gertrude Fowler Smith, four daughters Marie Charles Ockletree, Rose Ann Smith, Kaffey Smith Nunn and Dorothy Charles Banks, all of Austin; two sons Ernest Smith Jr. of Austin and Leon Smith of Las Vegas. Paw-Paw was the grandfather to 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He also left behind a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a grandson Terrance Jermaine Smith, 2.

Funeral service was held at King Tears Mortuary Chapel, Saturday, March 1, 1986, 2PM. Rev. Victor Moriole, officiated. Internment was at Evergreen Cemetery.

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Funeral Service For

Earnest Smith

King Tears Mortuary Chapel

Saturday, March 1, 1986

2PM

OBITUARY

Earnest Smith, Sr. was born in Bivins, Texas on September8, 1925 to Mrs. and Mrs. Frank Smith. Called Smitty by  friends and relatives, he lived in Austin for 37 years. He departed this life on Monday afternoon, February 24, 1986. He was employed t Alamo Steel for 28 years. Earnest was married to Gertrude Smith for 37 years.

"Smitty" leaves behind his wife, Gertrude Smith of Austin, four daughters, Marie Ockletree, Rose Ann Smith, Kathy Nunn and Dorothy Banks, all of Austin; two sons, Leon Smith of Las Vegas and Earnest Smith, Jr. of Austin.

Earnest was the grandfather of fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral Program

Processional

Song                                                        Precious Lord

Sung by Marlon McGee

Poem read by                                    Marie Ockletree 

Eulogy                                       Rev. Victor Moriole

Recessional

"Mydaddy"

A Tribute to Our Father

Read by Marie Ockletree 

written by Dorothy Charles Banks

Some people called him Earnest. Some people called him Smitty. Some people called him Pete. But to us, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was "Mydaddy", "Paw-Paw", "Dad."

Nobody knew him like we did, his kids. Nobody saw the side of him that we saw: the extremely loving husband, the loving protective father. Seldom did he call his female children and grandchildren by their names. It was as though our names didn't matter to him. to him we were "baby", or "sugar" or "honey" or "sugarpie."

His proudest moments were when he could look upon his whole flock and smile, content with himself and the world. No, nobody knew him like we did, his kids.

When he left us on the early afternoon of February 24, 1986, he took pieces of our hearts with him. But we won't miss the pieces, because if all the pieces were put together to make one heart, it still wouldn't be as big as his.

Mydaddy could get pretty uptight sometimes, like when you referred to his oldest daughters as his "step daughters." He didn't like the word, nor did he like the words "half-sister and half-sister."  

"You're full sisters and brothers, and don't forget it!" he would scold.

Mydaddy was not a man to complain. Maybe he felt  he had to look, and be strong for us at all times. And now, today, Saturday, March 1st, we're left behind with memories. But we have no regrets for having known him; for loving him. It was a privilege to have him, though the time was too short. Man's days are few, the Bible teaches us. Today, we wish the days had been more not few. 

No. Nodody knew MyDaddy, Paw-Paw, Dad . . . like we did, his kids. Nobody that is . . . but God.

Casket Bearers

Gilberto Castillo                                          Marcus Kennedy

Marvin Ford                                                       Roosevelt Scott

James Fowler                                                  Andrew Bozeh

Cornelius Trotmon                                             Norman Burleson

                                                         

Acknowledgements

The family would like to express their appreciation for all expression of sympathy shown during their time of bereavement.

Officiating                    Rev. Victor Moriole

Internment                 Evergreen Cemetery

Ernest, Sr.'s wife Gertrude, son Ernest, Jr. and   grand-son Terrance.

Gertrude lifted her eyes upward and said: 'Take me home, sweet Jesus'

Gertrude Fowler Smith

Family Genealogy

Gertrude Elizabeth Fowler was born to Mosell (Mose) Fowler and Leora (Leola) Powell-Fowler, September 11, 1920 in Bastrop, Texas. She was the second daughter, and sister to four brothers Johnny Mose Fowler, Isiah Fowler, Raymond Fowler, Mike Fowler and sister Imogene Fowler.

She attended Austin public schools. According to the 1914 Scholastic Census for Year, beginning September 1, 1914, AISD was located in Del Valle. Mothers and fathers were responsible for bringing their children to school and picking up them up after school. Gertrude was six years old.

Leora, Gertrude's mother, was a member of Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church ever since I could remember. So naturally her children were raised in the Baptist faith. I've heard Gertrude say she sang in the choir, but her she was not a faithful church goer. Other kinds of music was on her mind; music that she could dance and pop her fingers to. She loved to dance. So did her mother, Leora, in her younger years.

Gertrude, called "Muhdear" by her children and grandchildren, loved to play bingo, cards and take trips to Las Vegas to play the slot machines. She was impressed with her first trip to Vegas, and for good reason. She and I were at the Golden Nugget downtown. After playing less than an hour she hit a jackpot for $1,600. She was hooked! She had never been on a plane before going to Vegas, but she was willing to catch a plane for another trip.


Gertrude was married three times. At age 18 she married my father Willie Charles on January 31, 1938. He was laborer from Muskogee, Oklahoma.  She later married Clarence Singleton,  February 11, 1946. He who worked at the Oil Mill about six blocks from where we lived on East 7th Street. They had no children together. Her last husband was Ernest Smith, Sr. They had three children: Kaffey, Ernest, Jr. and Rose Ann, whose twin died at birth.

Gertrude departed this life early Friday morning, February 9, 1990 in her home after a brief illness. She died of thyroid cancer. I have always heard about the "calm before the storm", a quiet time before death takes control. Hours before her death Gertrude had a burst of energy. She had not eaten in a few days, but on the 8th of February she wanted some corn and a sweet roll, an odd combination Then came the storm. During the early morning hours Gertrude died peacefully.

Marie got to her house before me. She said Gertrude was alive, barely breathing. She told Marie that she was not ready to go. She had to take care of her children. All of her children were grown. Marie told her that her children could take care of themselves. Marie told her that she could go home, after which she looked at something or someone in a corner of the bedroom, and said "Take me home sweet, Jesus."

Gertrude Fowler Smith is survived by daughters: Leora Marie Ockletree, Kaffey Smith-Nunn, Rose Ann Smith, Dorothy Charles Banks; one son Ernest Smith Jr., a brother Johnny Mose Fowler, 14 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and a host of friends and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest Smith, Sr., of Cass, Texas, her grandson Terrance Jermaine Smith, age two, her parents Mose (Mozell) Fowler, Leora Fowler-Sterling, three brothers Raymond Fowler of Lorain, Ohio, Isiah Fowler of Washington, D.C., Mike Fowler of Los Angeles, her grandmother Pearl Powell Brown of Bastrop.

Funeral Service was held at King Tears Chapel, Tuesday, February 13, 1990, at 2PM. Rev. 


Replica of funeral service
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In Memory of Our Mother

Gertrude Fowler Smith

September 11, 1920-January 9, 1990

Lifting her eyes upward, she said: 

"Take me home, sweet Jesus. . ."

King tears Mortuary Chapel

Tuesday, February 13, 1990

2:00 PM

If you reach for God's hand

in the darkness,

He will show you the light.

Gertrude Fowler Smith was born to Mosell and Leora Clark Fowler, September 11, 1990 in Austin, Texas. She as the second daughter of one sister and four brothers. She attended Austin public schools, and was raised up in the Baptist faith.

She departed this life Friday morning, February 9, 1990 in her home after a brief illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, three brothers, a grandson and her husband, Ernest Smith, Sr.

Gertrude Fowler Smith is survived by daughters Marie Ockletree, Cathy Smith Nunn, Rose Ann Smith, Dorothy Charles Banks, one son Ernest Smith, Jr; fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, a brother, Mosell "Cluck" Fowler and a host of nieces and nephews, all of Austin.

Funeral services will be held at King Tears Chapel, Tuesday, February13, 1910, 2:00 PM.

  

Order of Service 

Processional                                 Precious Lord

Solo                                           Rev. John Daniel

Scripture                                      Rebecca Berry

Prayer

                          

Family Tribute  read by                              Gigi Wilkins

Eulogy                                      Rev. John Daniel

Recessional                                   Precious Lord

God Made Sure Your Cross Was Not to Heavy

A Tribute to Our Mother

by Dorothy Charles Banks

Your last hours were fretful. So were ours, as we watched you slipping away from us. As hours dwindled into minutes, and minutes into seconds, your fretting worsened, so did our fear. You had earthly business to take care of, but you did not have the physical voice to speak. Suddenly, your voice was found. You looked up when a voice spoke to you, a voice our human ears could not hear.

You said, "No, Lord. I’m not ready. I can't leave my children." You were concerned they would not make it without you. Marie, your second daughter said, "Your children will be alright." You needed to hear that confirmation. It was your permission to travel to the other side. You did not have to try and strike a bargain with God.

Relieved, you looked upward in God's face and said, "Take me home, sweet Jesus." And he took you home to his heavenly Kingdom. And you fretted no more. You fretted no more.

 

         Pall Bearers

Ernest Smith, 111                                      Pete Smith

Bryant Rucker                                           Lynn Murray

James Smith                                               Kevin Finely

Acknowledgments

Perhaps you sent a lovely  card

Or sat quietly in a chair;

Perhaps you sent a floral piece

If so, we saw it there.

Perhaps you spoke the kindest words,

As many friends could say;

Perhaps you were not there at all

Just thought of us that day.

Whatever you did to console our hearts,

We thank you, whatever the part.

Officiating                                                                        Rev. John Daniel

Internment                                                                            Evergreen Cemetery

Pictured: Gertrude's husband, Ernest Smith, Dorothy Charles Banks and Marie Ockletree, Rose Ann Smith Daniels (daughters) Ernest Smith, Jr. (son) and Kaffey Smith Nunn (daughter).